Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata wrapped its Russian tour with a 3-1 win over Dynamo Makhachkala at the VTB Training Ground, finishing unbeaten and returning to Argentina with spirits soaring.

How did the match unfold?

The game, played on the morning of July 9, 2026, began with an early goal for the hosts: Mrezigue scored in the 15th minute after a loss by Germán Conti. Gimnasia answered quickly; Enzo Martínez equalised in the 27th minute with a header from a corner taken by Nicolás Barros Schelotto. In the second half, Ariel Pereyra made nine substitutions. Jerónimo Merlo restored the lead in the 30th minute of the second half, and Nicolás Barros Schelotto sealed the win in the 42nd minute, leaving the final score at 3-1.

What tactical choices did Ariel Pereyra make?

Pereyra chose to rotate the squad to protect the players after the first 90‑minute friendly at Gazprom Arena. He changed every starter, giving minutes to players such as Nelson Insfrán, Pablo Aguiar and Mateo Seoane. The plan aimed to balance competitiveness with recovery, keeping intensity without overworking the regulars. The substitutions allowed the side to retain possession and exploit gaps in Dynamo’s defence.

What does this result mean for the pre‑season?

Ending the tour unbeaten — a 0‑0 draw against Zenit on Sunday followed by today’s victory — gives Gimnasia a morale boost before the final preparation phase at Estancia Chica. The squad arrives at the last stage of its build‑up for the Torneo Clausura and the Copa Argentina with confidence and a roster that has tested several line‑ups. International exposure also strengthens group cohesion and gives young players valuable experience in a competitive environment.

What’s next for the Lobo?

Tomorrow the team will return to its hotel in Saint Petersburg, where it will watch Argentina’s World Cup round‑of‑16 match. Later that afternoon the flight back to La Plata is scheduled, with training sessions at Estancia Chica set to begin next week. The board has already hinted at a series of local friendlies to fine‑tune details before the official start of the tournament.